The annual Saints on Their Way Festival at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton offered an opportunity to celebrate U.S. men and women whose lives of faith continue to inspire the Church, including Blessed James Miller, FSC, the De La Salle Christian Brother whose cause for canonization continues to advance. Jack McCormick, campus minister at Calvert Hall College High School in Baltimore, Maryland, and Tom Southard, Ph.D., executive director of Christian Brothers Conference, attended the event on Sept. 12-13 in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Dr. Southard said “The Saints on Their Way Festival was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the men and women whose causes are underway and to share the story of Blessed Brother James Miller. He has such a compelling story, and it was amazing to see people who had never heard his story become interested in his life and witness.” He continued, “It’s a good reminder that these stories of holiness offer something important to men and women of God.”
Brother James dedicated his life to education, service and accompaniment of young people, particularly those living in poverty and facing violence. His ministry in Guatemala was marked by a deep commitment to human dignity and living out Gospel values. In 1982, he served at a Lasallian school and was killed while making school building repairs in his free time as he often did. Brother James, also known to his students as ‘Brother Fix-It,’ is remembered as a faithful witness who remained steadfast in his mission despite significant risks.
Brother James’ life and legacy are “a testament to the fact that becoming a saint isn’t something you have to be perfect at to attain or some lofty theologian,” said McCormick. “Rather you can be a saint even if you are frequently late, a soccer or football coach, a fireman, a handyman, a missionary, a teacher, someone who doesn’t always please other people, and a real-life person in this day and age.”
According to McCormick, Brother James’ example shows how everyday Americans can “become ordinary to extraordinary people in wearing the crown of martyrdom and laying down our lives out of love for Jesus.”
He continued, Brother James is a true “model for American men,” especially in his approachability and simplicity. “At the end of the day, Blessed Brother James Miller was just a guy who loved Jesus and his neighbors.”
For the Lasallian family, Brother James’ inclusion in the Saints on Their Way Festival is a meaningful reminder that holiness is lived through everyday acts of service, faith and dedication to young people. His example continues to inspire educators, students and ministries around the world to live boldly in the spirit of Saint John Baptist de La Salle.
Learn more about the event and its featured holy men and women through the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Saints on Their Way program.